Miller Pitches At Petco, Retires Top Of Padres Order

By Joe Naiman

Ramona’s Will Miller pitched at Petco Park for a March 30 game between the San Diego State Aztecs and the San Diego Padres and retired all three Padres batters he faced.

Miller started the game for the Aztecs and faced Eric Young, Mark Loretta and Brian Giles. Young hit a ground ball to second for the first out, Loretta flied out to right field, and Giles flied out to right field.

“It was a great experience,” Miller said of pitching at Petco Park against the Padres. “I was real excited to get out there. Definitely a memorable night.”

Because San Diego State University used a different pitcher every inning, Miller was replaced by Dan Bruckart to start the second inning. Miller would end up as one of only two Aztecs pitchers to retire all three Padres batters they faced.

“I thought Miller would do well, and he did,” SDSU manager Tony Gwynn said. “He was able to get his breaking ball over and spot his fastball.”

Miller concurred that pitch location was a key to his success.

“I was emphasizing my spots a little bit more,” he said.

Miller was not intimidated by major league opposition. “They’re human, too. I figure that if you make them put the ball in play, it gives you a chance to get them out.”

Miller, a transfer to San Diego State from the University of Arizona, last started a collegiate game in 2002 with Arizona. He appeared in 16 games, all in relief, for San Diego State in 2003 and redshirted in 2004 because of arm surgery. He pitched in five of the Aztecs’ 24 games in 2005 before the Petco Park contest.

“It was good to get out there,” he said.